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December 23, 2005
Even new stations don't always survive
Between 1985 and 1990, 116 new stations opened on British Railways, including Melksham, and 14 closed. Some new lines were even opened around that period and some new services added, and most have done well. But the odd one has closed again - the train from Kettering to Corby is, once again, a bus ...
The economics of running the train service through Melksham stack up well against Corby - in that case, the train was the only passenger service on the line and so the track upkeep had all to be offset against the fares; not so in the case of the line through Melksham, where the line is maintained anyway for trains on diversion, such as this Cheltenham to London express pictured last Saturday morning. What a suprise it was for the regulars when the distant two-tone horn turned into this rather then the "153" unit!
Melksham is an integral location on First Greater Western's network! They've just been awarded the contract to provide the service for the next 10 years and the next couple of weeks is an excellent time to let them know what sort of service would suit YOU and the town. Remember - although they're old hands at running railways, they're new to stopping at Melksham so I'm sure they'll appreciate friendly but honest input.
Posted by gje at December 23, 2005 12:53 PM